Xi Jinping and Giorgia Meloni Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs of China
Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni recently visited China, where she signed several significant agreements with the Chinese leadership. The warm reception in Beijing and the numerous positive comments from Chinese state media highlight Beijing’s efforts to expand its influence in Europe through divisions among European Union countries.
Italy and China: New Agreements and Old Disputes
During her five-day visit to China, Giorgia Meloni not only received a high-profile welcome from Xi Jinping but also signed a range of cooperation agreements. Italian diplomats view the visit as successful, as it brought several economic benefits to Italy. At the same time, Meloni avoided criticizing China for its support of the Russian military and excessive capacities in key technological sectors. This allowed her to focus on negotiating a rebalancing of trade relations between the two countries.
China’s Strategy to Exploit EU Divisions
Meloni’s visit underscores China’s strategy to foster tension between EU member states by offering advantageous bilateral relations to individual countries. This comes amid a general strengthening of the European Union’s position on trade with China. Jia Yan Chong, an assistant professor of political science at the National University of Singapore, suggests that this approach may be part of a “divide and rule” strategy.
China’s Influence on European Politics and Economy
China is actively playing on the divide between European leaders, highlighting right-wing leaders like Giorgia Meloni and Viktor Orban of Hungary. This could bolster new populist politicians who challenge the traditional EU political elites. Currently, Germany’s Olaf Scholz and France’s Emmanuel Macron face internal challenges that weaken their positions within the EU.
Prospects for Ukraine and China’s Role in Global Conflicts
China is also actively involved in global conflicts. During Meloni’s visit, China showcased its role as a neutral mediator by hosting a Ukrainian delegation and sponsoring an agreement between Palestinian factions. Although Meloni had limited influence on the European Commission’s investigation into Chinese electric vehicle subsidies, her visit highlights China’s strategic interests in European politics and the economy.
Prospects for the European Union
The European Union faces a dilemma in its relations with China. On one hand, China is a key market for European car manufacturers like Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz. On the other hand, the rapid development of Chinese electric vehicles threatens the future of these companies. Tensions among EU countries, such as France and Germany, could complicate the adoption of a unified stance on trade and political issues.
In summary, Giorgia Meloni’s visit to China and Beijing’s response reflect the complex maneuvering of major international players trying to shape the future of global economic and political relations.
Source: Bloomberg
